Thursday August 21, 2025
FILE - Freshly caught fish on display at Mogadishu’s main fish market, where vendors prepare daily catches for sale. Somalia is seeking to modernize its fisheries sector and expand seafood exports as China opens tariff-free access to African goods.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia is racing to overhaul its fisheries sector as China scraps tariffs on African goods, a policy shift that could transform Somali seafood exports but also exposes the country’s $300 million in annual losses to illegal fishing
Officials in Mogadishu say the move could open new opportunities for Somali seafood exports, but only if the country strengthens compliance and overhauls weak infrastructure.
“This policy change holds great potential for Somali seafood exports,” Nor Daud Ibrahim, a fisheries officer with the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, told SeafoodSource. “But realizing that potential depends on strengthening seafood quality standards, meeting international safety and traceability requirements, and creating conditions for both local and foreign investment.”
Nor said Somalia’s artisanal fleet remains vulnerable to rough seas, strong currents and the effects of climate change. The country also lacks modern ports, cold storage, and logistics systems needed to ship large, high-quality volumes abroad. “Upgrading cold storage, logistics and port handling is a parallel priority being explored through public-private partnerships and cooperation with development partners,” he said.
To close these gaps, Somalia has already moved to attract investment. In October 2024, the government
signed a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group to modernize fisheries infrastructure, establish integrated fishing ports and processing facilities, and build a maritime monitoring center. The deal also includes vocational training for the fisheries workforce.
Earlier this year, Mogadishu reached a strategic agreement with Türkiye’s OYAK Group focused on fisheries infrastructure, boosting exports, and strengthening efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The opportunities in China come against a backdrop of persistent losses from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Somali waters. An ENACT Africa report in January estimated annual losses of about $300 million, much of it tied to unlicensed tuna fishing.
Licensing remains contentious. In March 2024, Somalia issued 19 offshore permits to Chinese tuna longliners as part of a World Bank-backed program to formalize the sector. It was the first major issuance since 2018, when Mogadishu granted licenses to Chinese vessels under a deal that drew public criticism over transparency.
Accessing China’s market will also depend on meeting its stringent food import standards. Under Chinese customs regulations, exporters must register processing facilities, implement traceability systems, and ensure packaging includes China-issued registration numbers. Failure to comply risks losing market access despite the tariff exemptions.
Somalia has adopted its National Blue Economy Strategy (2023–2027) to guide the sustainable development of marine resources. The World Bank’s “Badmaal” project is funding fisheries monitoring centers and building regulatory capacity to help Somalia enforce standards and attract further investment.
The Ministry of Fisheries has also promoted Somali seafood at international forums. In July, officials showcased the country’s coastline potential to investors at the Blue Economy Forum.
Despite persistent challenges, officials remain optimistic that Somalia’s 3,300-kilometer coastline, among the richest fishing grounds in the Indian Ocean, can be turned into an economic engine. “With continued reforms and investment, Somalia is well-positioned to benefit from China’s trade policy and expand its presence in global seafood markets,” Nor said.
China’s move to scrap tariffs is the latest step in a long campaign to tighten its economic grip on Africa, where Beijing has already poured billions into ports, roads, and energy projects. By opening its market to 53 African nations, China is casting itself as the continent’s main trading partner, outpacing the United States and the European Union, whose influence has waned in the face of Beijing’s scale and speed.